Ford Transit diesel

[yakman]

Looking at possibly getting a Transit unit. Any pro's or con's?

[carringb]

The 2020 Transit was slated to get the 2.0L. But dealers didn't order many, and they can't meet existing orders for EcoBoost AWDs (and many other configurations), so Ford cancelled the 2.0L diesel for 2021. There's a lot of unhappy folks because their EcoBoost orders aren't being built before the model year cut-off and Ford isn't automatically carrying them over to 2021s. The dealers have to re-order. Speculation is the diesel will return whenever EcoBoost AWDs aren't backordered so far.

BTW - the 2020+ Transits have an 11,000 GVWR and 4600# FAWR now. And the 10-speed transmission. Also the 2021 Transit gets a nice walk-through option, with an electronic parking brake, modified shifter location, and step-on floor plate. I'm sure it's being done for Amazon, but it might be a nice option for motorhomes too.

2021 Ford What's New (large PDF)

[Bird_Freak]

I can't say about the mh part but my friend has a small fleet of Transit's for his cabinet shop and he loves them.

[CC38EL]

Our Thor Compass on the Transit HD chassis had the 3.2l 5 cylinder. It was awesome especially in that particular chassis/weight class.

Not much CCC...but the Compass isn't that big to begin with. And that lack of capacity affected it's towing ability.

But...the mileage, convenience, and power were great. Only drawback was the need to find a Ford dealer with a heavy lift. Not all Ford dealers have them and they won't work on them unless they can lift them.

I see where Thor has dropped the diesel, but Ford is still making them with the new 2.0l diesel according to Google. However, that little 2.0l engine doesn't have the carrying capacity of the 3.6l gassers. Doubt we'll see that diesel in an RV.

[theoldwizard1]

The original diesel engine in the Transit was a 5 cylinder that has been successfully used in the "rest of the world" for many years. It was new to the US.

From my research, there is currently no diesel engine option for the transit, but I know there is something planned.

[carringb]

The first couple years of the 3.2L had their issues. Mostly associated with the emissions systems, but that was all combined with a lack of qualified service techs, so I'm sure some dealers didn't fix things right.

I'm not sure Ford should be blamed for a broken windsheld however. Or low ground clearance at the rear of a coach.... Or for damage to said rear of coach when the driver doesn't understand how departure angles work...

[ron_dittmer]

I was surprised to read the negative experience ernie1's friend had. I suppose a lemon is made now and then. But everyone else has only good things to say about it.

I was at an auto show when the Fuse first came out. One thing I quickly noted is how low the cab is. Getting in was more like a minivan. I could see that being a plus for seniors.

The only thing I have against the Fuse is the lack of CCC. If only Ford would beef things up to increase GVWR to around 11,500 so the RV industry and end users can load them normally. If you wonder why I say 11,500, that is the GVWR of the Ford E350 chassis made prior to 2008. We own a 2007 E350 with a GVWR of 11,500 and we sometimes weigh in at the limit. Our rig is 23'-8" long.

[Ed_Gee]

Love our Winnebago Fuse....and the Ford Transit on which it was built. Our Transit has been flawless in performance in the 2.5 years we have had it. If the reports of hundreds of Winnebago Fuse owners are any indications, they all love the Ford Transit diesel. i know we sure do. i love the smooth ride, the amazing diesel power, and the superb mileage ( 14-19 ) depending on towing and hills or not.

[ernie1]

My friend had the first model that came out on a Winnebago Fuse. He had a nightmare of a time with the Ford portion with oil leaks, check engine lights, a front windshield that cracked on it's own while stored. To make matters worse, he had to take it to a Ford truck repair shop and wait weeks for them to work on it. In terms of the check engine light and oil leak the shop never did figure out what caused these issues and only could shrug their shoulders as to what the causes were.

The Winnebago portion was not much better and presented a lot of fit and finish issues along with drawers that would continue to roll open because the catches wouldn't hold. One particular glaring problem was the rear portion of the vehicle was real low to the pavement and was damaged twice going down a driveway. My understanding is that Ford has redesigned the Transit to prevent this.

My friend traded this rv in for another brand and this Transit sat for about a year on the dealers lot because it's reputation preceded it.